Just days after the story broke that Meredith Vieira plans to leave NBC’s “Today” show, word surfaced that another of the show’s on-screen fixtures has notified the network he will be departing, ETOnline.com reports.

Matt Lauer has reportedly told NBC he plans to leave "Today" when his contract is up at the end of December 2012.

"Today" issued a statement in response to the report of Lauer’s planned departure that read, "There seems to be an awful lot of speculation around news anchors these days, and it’s not our practice to comment on any of it. Matt Lauer has a long-term contract with NBC News and ‘Today.’"

The story speculates that Lauer might be contemplating rejoining his former co-host Katie Couric, who has said she’s working on a syndicated program.